112 SCOTT'S: LAST EXPEDITION [OctopER 
The sun came out and the wind and drift eased in the even- 
ing, so Abbott and I repacked the sledges, securing the wooden 
one on top of the iron-runner sledge. We find this the best ar- 
rangement for sea ice, although the resultant load is rather top 
heavy. It was very cold and we got our hands very badly 
frostbitten. 
October 12.—A cold wind but clear when we turned out at 
4.30 A.M. 
We were off before 7 over a fair surface. Soon after lunch 
we had some trouble with pressure ice, resulting in one upset. 
A lovely evening when we camped that night, Erebus and Mel- 
bourne both being in sight. Browning was better but still had 
bad cramping pains in his stomach. Distance 11 miles. 
October 13.—A disappointing day, overcast, light northerly 
airs, and not much pressure, but a very heavy drag through deep 
crusted snow. We were all very tired when we camped. Dis- 
tance 7 miles. We passed a track which at first we thought had 
been left by a sledge but afterwards proved to be that of a seal. 
October 14.—The weather was much the same to-day as yes- 
terday, but the surface was better. We pulled in shore to avoid 
heavy pressure which ran across our bows. A haze of snow 
crystals obscured the land, and this made the journey tedious 
and we were glad to camp, having done about 10 miles, but not 
I fear half that on our course. The prevailing ridges run about 
N.N.E. . 
October 15.—A fine morning, but cold wind from south. We 
turned out at 4.45 and for the first two hours made good prog- 
ress. The sun came out quite hot and the wind dropped in the 
middle of the day, so that we were able to spend an hour over 
lunch. The mirage was wonderful, the pressure to the south- 
ward being seen inverted in the sky. 
We came across more tracks, which I think must be seal. It 
is curious that we have seen no animals; I can only account for it 
by presuming that this is old ice with no cracks. Soon after 4 | 
we had to cross pressure ridges, for though we had been dodging 
them since lunch, they now became so high we had to camp and 
repack sledges. We shall have to relay the sledges to-morrow, 
taking them over one at a time. 
Distance about 10 miles, but not half that on our course. A 
clear but cold evening. 
